Processing tank



July 2, 1963 v. Q. KELLY 3,09

PROCESSING TANK Filed June 4, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR, VICTOR O.KELLY ATTORNEY.

July 2, 1963 v". Q. KELLY 3,095,798

PROCESSING TANK Filed June 4, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR, VICTOR o.KELL).

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,095,798 PRGIIESSENG TANK Victor Q.Kelly, Atlantic Highlands, N .J assignor to the United fitates ofAmerica as represented by the Secretary of the Army Filed June 4, 1962,Ser. No. 200,002

Claims. (Ql. 95-94) (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), see. 266)The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government for governmental purposes, without the payment :of anyroyalty thereon.

This invention relates to a specialized tank for process: ing sheetmaterials and particularly for processing strip material underconditions imposing severe shaking and tipping of the tank such as inplanes, and ground or water vehicles.

The invention supplies the need for compact lightweight equipment whichmay be used for a continuous processing operation upon strip type film'or other photosensitive materials in an environment where the equipmentis subjected to uncontrollable agitation and tipping. With conventionalopen tank or tray equipment processing under such conditions would bealmost impossible. This invention provides a tank for processingoperations using low viscosity liquid solutions such as in conventionalphotographic processing wherein severely agitated liquid is confinedeven through film entering and exit slots are provided through which theliquids tend to leak out. It is possibly true that sealing means at thefilm slots could be provided to partially prevent leakage of the liquid.The necessary construction of such a seal however would involvesubstantial wiping pressure upon the film as it is moved through thetank. Such contact with the wet film emulsion would scratch and abradethe surface thus degrading the product.

The present invention decreases the necessity for a positive liquidtight seal at the entering and exit slots and at the same time preventsspilling and leakage of the solution.

A practical concept of the invention embodies a liquid tight vessel ofsufficient capacity to hold the required amount of processing liquid.The vessel is constructed to provide two compartments of substantiallyequal size one at the top and one at the bottom of the vessel. Betweenthese compartments a system of liquid channels are provided at the outerwall of the vessel interconnecting the upper and lower compartments.

In addition to the liquid channels another channel interconnects theupper and lower compartments and it is located approximately in thecenter of the tank structure. This latter channel provides film slotsthrough which the film strip enters and leaves the tank. The slots maybe provided with light trapping means which may also provide a certaindegree of sealing against liquid leakage and in addition may function asa squeegee to strip surplu liquid from the film as it emerges from thetank.

In operation when the tank is subjected to severe agitation most of themoving liquid will find its way into the outer connecting channels andflow freely therein to and from the upper compartment while only a smallportion of the liquid will enter the center compartment thus only veryslight or no leakage at all will occur at the film slots which are theonly possible points for leakage.

An important feature of the invention prevents leakage and spilling whenthe tank is tipped at a substantial angle or tipped over suddenly ontoits side or into a horizontal posit on. When this occurs the solutionwill rapidly fiow through the outer channels into the upper compartmentand not through the center channel. Thus spilling and leakage isavoided. Further details of the operation of the invention will appearhereinafter.

Patented July 2, 1963 It is a primary object of the invention to providea processing tank permitting film feed through which is spill proof whenagitated or tipped into angular positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a processing tank havingnon-spilling characteristics which is of light weight and portable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a processing tank whichmay be readily adapted to function in conjunction with other units suchas additional processing tanks, drying means or any pro-processing orfinal finishing operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a processing tankpermitting film feed through which is spill proof and which causes nodisfigurement to the processed workpiece either in a wet or drycondition.

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear fromthe following description and will be particularly pointed out in theclaims.

To provide a better understanding of the invention particularembodiments thereof will be described and illusstrated in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a selected embodiment of theinvention.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross section on line 2-2 FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal cross section on line 33 FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a detail view showing the disposition of liquid in the tankshown in FIGURE 1 when it is tipped into horizontal position.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of theinvention.

FIGURE 6 is an irregular cross section on line 66 FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a detail view showing the disposition of liquid in the tankshown in FIGURE 5 when it is tipped into horizontal position.

FIGURE 8 is a detail view showing a structure which may be used in thelower tank section for controlling the film strip and loop to maintainthe strip immersed in the liquid.

The invention as illustrated in the drawings is made in a suitable sizeand configuration for the treatment of strip material such as a 35millimeter photographic film strip and is totally enclosed with theexception of fihn strip entering and exit slots to be describedhereinafter. Larger or smaller tanks embodying the invention willfunction equally well. Moreover a plurality of tanks arranged in seriesis an ideal arrangement for practicing the invention where a pluralityof steps is required to complete the treatment.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the tank body 10 is made of sheet metal which isnon-corrosive such as stainless steel or the like. Suitable types ofplastic may also be satisfactory for this purpose. The body 10 iapproximately square in horizontal cross section and is somewhat higherthan it is wide. The tank may be considered to be generally divided intoan upper section 11 and a lower section 12 each having substantially thesame cubic capacity. The upper and lower sections are separated byinterconnecting channels 13. Desirably the channels are at the cornersof the tank and are square in cross section but may be of any suitableshape.

Another channel 14 extends vertically from the upper to the lowersection of the tank and substantially at the center thereof. Thischannel is of special construction and size and provides for insertionand withdrawal of the film strip 15 as shown in FIGURE 2. The channel 14is slightly wider than the strip to be processed, is generallyrectangular in cross sect-ion and is provided with film strip enteringand exit slot 16 and 17 in opposite walls thereof.

I spea /es The slots 16 and 17 are provided with flexible lip portions18 and 1d which may be made of soft rubber or plastic material and arecemented to opposite edges of the slots in position to lightly contactthe inserted film strip.

Access to the tank interior is provided in any suitable manner. As shownherein the upper end thereof is provided with a removable cover 2%fitted with a gasket 21 which engages the upper edge of the tank body toprovide a liquid tight seal.

To initiate the treatment of an exposed film strip the cover 29 isremoved and the film leader is threaded through the lip 18 at theentrance slot 16 passing between corner channels 13 and a loop 22 ismade in the strip. The loop may conveniently be formed in the uppersection 11 of the tank and then fed downwardly into the lower section 12through the channel 14 while holding the free end of the strip which isthen led out through the exit slot 17 passing between corner channels 13at the opposite side of the tank.

The lower section 12 of the tank is then filled with processing solution23 substantially to the height shown .in FIGURE 2. The strip may be fedthrough the apparatus by hand at the proper speed to provide therequired degree of treatment. Desirably however adjustable automaticmeans are provided for feeding the strip. To accomplish this the exposeduntreated film may be contained in a lower driven feed in device 24which may be provided with a light tight channel 25 indicated in FIGURE2, connecting it with and guiding the strip into the slot 16. g

The treated film is pulled from the tank by the driven film feed outdevice 26 from where it may travel to equipment of the same or anydesired construction for subsequent treatment. The feed in speed shouldbe equal to the feed out speed to thereby maintain the re quiredconfiguration of the loop 22.

Under normal operation of the tank the solution remains in the lowertank section 12. and the processing proceeds in the conventional manner.When, however, the tank is subjected to severe shaking or vibration dueto rough going of a vehicle in which it is used or any other conditionthe solution is violently disturbed and splashed upward. In so doing theliquid finds its way into channels 13 and is also bounced backward fromthe substantial area of the top wall 27 of the lower section 12. Theliquid that enters the channel 1 3 loses its energy and returns to themain body of liquid. If any liquid penetrates to the upper tank section11 it will return through the channels 13 and possibly through channel14- without causing leakage. The volume of liquid traversing channel 14-Would be small and practically no liquid will penetrate the slots 16 and17.

When the tank is used in flight it will at times assume horizontal ornear horizontal position. Also in certain environments it may besubjected to sudden accidental dipping into horizontal position upon itssupporting surface. When this happens the liquid flows freely andquickly through two of the channels 13 and into the upper section 11.Due to the free flow in channels 13 only a small quantity if any at allwill enter channel 14. In no event will sufiicient liquid be present inchanel 14 to cause leak-age through the slots 16 and 17 which arelightly sealed by the lip members 18 md 19.

The dimensions of the tank are so chosen that in horizontal position thelevel of the liquid in the upper and lower sections will never be abovethe slots 16 and 17 a shown in FIGURE 4. spilling and leakage ofsolution is thus prevented under the most adverse conditions.

To assist in maintaining correct conformation of the loop 22 it may bedesirable to provide directional guiding means. Such means may consistof a structure such as shown in FIGURE 8 wherein a pair of parallelsupports 28 are secured to the bottom of the tank and are provided withvertical slots 29 Within which are received monobath solution.

a the trunnions of a roll Ell having sufficient weight to hold the filmstrip in its correct path below the li uid surface.

To place the roll 35 in position it is passed from the upper section 11through channel 14 bet zeen the entering and leaving portion of thestrip after the loop is formed and placed in section 12 or during theplacement of the loop. When installing the roll it is positionedproperly to cause its trunnions to enter the slots 2?. The roll willguide the strip and overcome the tendency for the loop to collapse.

A somewhat dilierent but equally effective form of the invention isshown in FiGURES 5, 6, and 7. This structure is provided with upper andlower sections 31 and 32 as in the structure shown in FIGURE 1. Thesesections are interconnected by a system of vertical channels 33 and 34extending along the full width or opposite sides of the tank thesechannels are interconnected laterally at their mid-section by anotherchannel 35 which also vertically interconnects upper and lower sections31 and 32. All portions of the tank are fabricated to provide a liquidtight structure. The combination of tank sections and channels as abovedescribed provide window like outwardly opening recesses 36 and 37 whichprovide access to film entering and exit slots 38 and 39 in the walls 49of channel 35. The slots are provided with sealing lips 4-1 betweenwhich the film is fed. The tank is provided with a removable liquidtight cover 42.

This tank structure provides for forming a loop of the film strip withinits lower section which contains the liquid for processing the film andinto which the strip is immersed a it is fed through the tank atconstant speed. During severe shaking and vibration of the tank only asmall volume of liquid enters channel 35 and remains only 'for aninstant. The lip members 41 effectively seal the tank against leakagedue to such movement of the liquid.

'to insure that when the tank is in this latter position the height ofthe liquid will be below the slot 38 and 39. In either case leakage willbe prevented. The tank can then be righted to normal position andprocessing resumed.

A particularly eiiective application of the invention is its use forprocessing photosensitive materials in a The complete processing cyclein this case is accomplished by the simple operation of passing thestrip through the tank and such operation may be carried on witzhoutlosing solution and without contamination of other equipment by spilledsolution despite the most violent action of the tzmk in any directionwhether it be in flight processing or rough going in a ground vehiclelaboratory or other unstable environment.

What is claimed is:

l. A liquid tight container, comprising a compartmented body consistingof upper and lower spaced main compartments of substantially equal cubiccapacity one of which is used to contain a processing liquid, aplurality of elongated enclosed channels interconnecting the upper andlower sections at the plane of the side wall of the body, at least oneadditional channel adjacent the center of the body and interconnectingsaid top and bottom sections, entrance and exit slot located respec-"tively in opposite walls of said center channel for pert 1:: horizontalthe main body of the liquid will flow freely through the side wallohanneis to the upper compartment and be diverted from substantial flowthrough said center channel thus avoiding leakage through said slots.

2. A liquid tight container comprising a compartmented body consistingof upper and lower spaced main compartments of substantially equal cubiccapacity the bottom one of Which contains a processing liquid, aplurality of enclosed vertical channels positioned adjacent the plane ofthe sides of said body and disposed to provide a centralized horizontalopen space between the compartments extending from side to side of saidbody, an additional vertical channel adjacent the center of said bodyinterconnecting the upper and lower compartments and situated in saidhorizontal through space, slots in opposite walls of said latter channelfor entrance and exit of a strip of sheet material to be processed insaid container and means in said slots to lightly engage opposite facesof said strip a it passes therebetWe-en Whereby when the container istipped out of its normal vertical position the liquid will flow throughsaid side channels and be diverted away from the center channel therebypreventing leakage at said slots.

3. A liquid tight container according to claim 1 and wherein the saidvertical side channels are situated at the corners of the container.

4. A liquid ti ht container according to claim 1 and wherein the saidcentral vertical channel is substantially square in cross section andslightly larger than the width of the strip of material processed.

5. A liquid tight processing container comprising a compartmented bodyhaving upper and lower spaced main compartments the lower one containingthe processing liquid, a pair of oppositely disposed vertical sidechannels at the plane of the side of the container interconnecting saidupper and lower compartments and extending entirely across the sides ofthe body, a single vertical channel interconnecting said maincompartments and said side channels at their mid-point, a slot inopposite Walls of said single channel for the entrance and exit of theprocessed strip and soft resilient means [in said slots for lightlyengaging opposite faces of said strip to prevent leakage of liquid whereby when the container is tipped into a substantial angle from itsnormal vertical position the liquid will flow through the said verticalside channels into the upper compartment and be diverted away from theslots in the single vertical channel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS3,067,758 Hersh Dec. 11, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 944,287 France Nov. 2,1948 1,181,520 France Jan. 12, 1959 863,513 Great Britain Mar. 22, 1961

1. A LIQUID TIGHT CONTAINER, COMPRISING A COMPARTMENTED BODY CONSISTINGOF UPPER AND LOWER SPACED MAIN COMPARTMENTS OF SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL CUBICCAPACITY ONE OF WHICH IS USED TO CONTAIN A PROCESSING LIQUID, APLURALITY OF ELONGATED ENCLOSED CHANNELS INTERCONNECTING THE UPPER ANDLOWER SECTIONS AT THE PLANE OF THE SIDE WALL OF THE BODY, AT LEAST ONEADDITIONAL CHANNEL ADJACENT THE CENTER OF THE BODY AND INTERCONNECTINGSAID TOP AND BOTTOM SECTIONS, ENTRANCE AND EXIT SLOTS LOCATEDRESPECTIVELY IN OPPOSITE WALLS OF SAID CENTER CHANNEL FOR PERMITTING AFILM STRIP TO ENTER AND LEAVE THE CONTAINER AND RESILIENT MEANS IN SAIDSLOTS TO LIGHTLY AND RESILIENTLY ENGAGE THE FILM AS IT PASSESTHEREBETWEEN THEREBY WHEN THE TANK IS TIPPED INTO AN INCLINED POSITIONAPPROACHING THE HORIZONTAL THE MAIN BODY OF THE LIQUID WILL FLOW FREELYTHROUGH THE SIDE WALL CHANNELS T THE UPPER COMPARTMENT AND BE DIVERTEDFROM SUBSTANTIALLY FLOW THROUGH SAID CENTER CHANNEL THUS AVOIDINGLEAKAGE THROUGH SAID SLOTS.